Top Victoria Day Trips

Cross Melbourne with ease as you check off the highlights in a matter of hours—a time-efficient option for travelers with a limited stay in the city. From the Victorian-era Fitzroy Gardens to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), bustling Chinatown, and the colorful Brighton Bathing Boxes—see plenty without any of the hassle of itinerary planning, all while a guide fills in the details.

Travelers short on time can still experience one of Melbourne’s best day trips with this afternoon tour to Phillip Island. After a free morning, travel in the early afternoon to Phillip Island, with time for some sightseeing before watching the famous penguin parade at sunset. For people not sure what to do in the morning, you can choose to include a morning trip to ride the Puffing Billy steam train.

Whether it’s your child or your inner child that loves steam trains and penguins, getting the timing right to watch little penguins parade on Phillip Island is a challenge. Skip the stress of the long drive when you join this convenient tour, which includes the Puffing Billy Railway steam train and general admission to the Penguin Parade.

Get up close to Australia’s native wildlife on this memorable full-day tour of Phillip Island from Melbourne, including a handy hotel pick-up. See adorable koalas and wallabies at the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park on the Mornington Peninsula, spot Australia’s largest colony of fur seals at the Nobbies, and watch the sunset penguin parade along Phillip Island's coast. This small-group tour limits numbers to ensure a personalized experience.

Spend a full day exploring the landmarks of the Great Ocean Road. Watch the sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation, pass the Otway Ranges and spot koalas, explore landmarks in Port Campbell National Park and more. Known as one of Australia's most beautiful drives and one of Victoria's most popular destinations, the Great Ocean Road offers great photo ops of coastal scenery, picturesque seaside towns and pristine wilderness—a must-do excursion from Melbourne.

Journey beyond Melbourne to experience the best of the Yarra Valley on this full-day, small-group tour. Sample local wines—without needing to designate a driver—and taste cheese at a boutique dairy. Sweeten the experience with a visit to a chocolaterie, and even head out on a kangaroo-spotting bushwalk.

Experience the scenic Yarra Valley on the Puffing Billy train. This full-day trip takes you through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake, the Healesville Sanctuary Zoo, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. At the last stop you can enjoy free samples and chocolate shopping. This trip starts and ends at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.

Closer to Victoria’s gold rush era of the 1850s than most tourists in the 21st century ever will be with this trip to the Sovereign Hill open-air museum. Ditch the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and immerse yourself in local history with the help of characters in period costumes before you watch a Redcoat Parade, live musket firing, and try your luck panning for gold.

Discover the flavors of the Yarra Valley on this full-day wine tour from Melbourne. With all the logistics taken care of, it's a hassle-free way to explore beyond the city while also sampling some of the area's best produce. Enjoy guided tastings at four boutique and highly acclaimed wineries, and dine on a delicious two-course shared lunch with a glass of wine included. Round-off the day with a visit to an artisanal chocolate factory, with the option to purchase some sweet treats at the end. On select days, you also have the option to swap one winery experience for a craft gin distillery or local brewery tasting.

Tasting your way around the Yarra Valley means driving between wineries and producers spread across the region, the designated driver missing out. Ride out from Melbourne with the route and transport handled, stopping at family-run wineries, a dairy, a distillery, and a chocolate maker along the way. Sample wine, cheese, gin, and chocolate as you go, with a wood-fired pizza lunch built into the day.

Kickstart your time in Melbourne with a personalized sightseeing experience that allows you to customize your itinerary according to your interests. Rather than following a set schedule, you’ll work alongside your local host to create an itinerary that features only the sights that interest you. Plus, your guide provides tailored recommendations to last your entire trip.

Discover Australia’s Great Ocean Road on this day trip from Melbourne. Admire the natural beauty of Victoria’s coastline, from surfing beaches to the Twelve Apostles rock formations. You’ll make stops at seaside villages, watch for wildlife like parrots and koalas, and travel through the Otway Ranges as you make your way to Cape Otway to climb the country’s oldest mainland lighthouse.

Make the most of your time in the Yarra Valley by taking this small-group tour from Melbourne, where you try the best produce in the valley, and also try several varieties of regional wine. Plenty of tastings are included, but there are chances to purchase additional products, too. Sit back and relax as you’re driven from place to place, and keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos near the end of your tour.

While the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road are one of the most famous landmarks near Melbourne, it can be challenging to visit if you only have one day and don’t have your own vehicle. Take a coach tour to relax on the drive down and stop at the main highlights of the Great Ocean Road, which also saves doing lots of research to work out what to see.

Combine visits to two prominent nature attractions outside Melbourne without having to organize your own transport with this full-day shared tour to Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula. Drive to the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park to see its broad range of Australian wildlife. Then head to Phillip Island for the evening penguin parade, stopping at several coastal spots along the way.

Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Tour Experience a perfect blend of history, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery with our Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Tour. Start your adventure with a nostalgic steam train ride through lush Australian landscapes. Feel the excitement as you travel back in time, enjoying the scenic views along the way. Next, head to Penguin Island to witness the magical Penguin Parade. As the sun sets, watch hundreds of adorable little penguins waddle from the sea to their burrows, creating a truly unforgettable wildlife experience. Your expert guide will share fascinating facts about the penguins and their conservation. With comfortable air-conditioned transport, a guide, and Steam Train and Penguin Standard Viewing tickets included, this seamless tour offers the perfect day out for nature lovers and families. Book your Steam Train & Penguin Island Day Tour now for a memorable Australian adventure!

Discover some of Australia’s most photographed landscapes on this full-day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne. Let someone else handle the driving and make plenty of view and rest stops, spot wild koalas along the way, and browse the shops in seaside towns like Apollo Bay. Enjoy a walk through Great Otway National Park, learn how the Shipwreck Coast earned its name, and marvel at the 12 Apostles and the pristine Loch Ard Gorge.

Learn about Australia’s diverse wildlife on this full-day tour of Phillip Island from Melbourne, including round-trip transport. See native Aussie animals at the Phillip Island Koala Conservation Reserve. Then, take a tour of Phillip Island, visiting scenic lookouts and beaches. End the day watching the memorable sunset Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach. A must-do tour for animal enthusiasts and families, without the hassle of self-driving.

Skip the hassle of driving or navigating public transport and enjoy two of Victoria's greatest attractions: Healesville Sanctuary and the Phillip Island penguin parade. This full-day tour from Melbourne takes you down the coast in a comfortable air-conditioned bus and gives you time to explore Healesville Sanctuary at your leisure before heading to the Dobbies Centre and Phillip Island.

Experience Phillip Island in small-group comfort with no more than 11 guests—not 24 or 27 people on a coach. Travel in a modern Mercedes-Benz Vito or Sprinter with comfortable seating and climate control. Our exceptional guides combine wildlife knowledge, warm service and Penguin Parade advice to keep the day relaxed and organised. Provide any Melbourne CBD hotel, apartment or nominated address. We will collect you there and return you to the same place after the Penguin Parade. Guests outside the CBD receive a convenient meeting point. Visit Moonlit Sanctuary, with admission included, to see koalas, kangaroos and other Australian wildlife. Continue to The Nobbies for dramatic coastal views while looking for wild wallabies and native birdlife, then watch little penguins return ashore after sunset. Choose General Viewing or Penguins Plus when booking. Penguins Plus requires confirmation and is subject to availability. Other viewing tickets may be requested for an additional charge.

Get out of the city for a day and enjoy relaxing time in nature on this economical group tour to the Mornington Peninsula. After leaving Melbourne, your first stop will be the natural Peninsula Hot Springs, where you can soak away your stresses or add an optional spa treatment. Continue to Murrays Lookout to enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. End the day at the cute and totally Instagram-worthy bathing boxes on the beach to enjoy panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. End the day at the cute and totally Instagram-worthy bathing boxes on the beach.

There are so many amazing things to see in and around Melbourne that it can be tough to squeeze them all in, but this full-day group trip to Phillip Island is a great place to start. This way, you get to visit Brighton Beach, Nobbies Centre, the Penguin Parade, and a wildlife park, but don’t have to put up with any of the stress of organizing tickets, transport, and itineraries.

Spend a day in the calming countryside outside of Melbourne on this day trip to the Mornington Peninsula. With a small group, spend the day wining and dining at some of the area’s best venues such as Yabby Lake Winery, Crittenden Estate, and Stoniers Vineyard. You also make a stop at the 1920s Merricks General Store for a delicious lunch paired with a glass of wine. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Every night, thousands of little blue penguins come ashore on Phillip Island to rest up and spend time with their mate. The nightly penguin parade is a uniquely Australian spectacle, and a perfect opportunity to see some of the south coast's sea life. This tour makes getting to the penguin parade easy; instead of hiring a car and organizing accommodation on the island, same-day chauffeured transfers make it possible to see the best of Phillip Island in a single day.